Lola The Dragon

When you were small, did you ever want a pet dragon? Did you love Pete's Dragon? Puff The Magic Dragon? Dudley the Dragon? or even Dragon from Shrek!?
I did. My older brother got a stuffed Puff, and I got something else -what, I cannot remember. I am thinking Puff was my version of Brown Bear. The toy we got when we were born. As I am 50% sure of this, I am sticking to it. I loved Brown Bear then, and I still love her now, she's almost 24 years old and still makes me smile....
...anyway, back to dragons!
I have a Twitter account. Laugh away.
Done now? OK!
I have a Twitter account and have some amazingly creative people on it.
I came upon Mariska Vos-Bolman and her Fluffels, through Shanalogic's tweets.
Mariska put up a SUPERsuper darling pattern that I fell hard for.
With my misplaced understanding, I thought the pattern was $15 once converted into Canadian funds. A good friend told me that I was wrong, and it was only $9.
Even though Yoki was tugging my heart strings, $15 seemed steep. $9 seemed more reasonable.
I hopped onto my PayPal and purchased the pattern. Shhh..I am supposed to be saving money, but I figured "what the hey!".
Since the pattern was a .pdf and sent to my computer, I had it in just mere minutes. I was excited.
Once I looked at the pattern, it seemed semi-hard. It called for an "advanced skill level". I like to sew, but I dont think I would consider myself "advanced". More of a dabbler.
I still decided to go for it. If I couldn't do it, I would have pushed myself and made something amusing at least.

Today I decided to cut the patterns out and do it! The file had only been on my computer for 3 days. That's a long time to be in pre-birth. I've had no real human babies, but even I know this!
I traced my pattern pieces onto the green felt. I was hoping for hot pink and purple and something lushiously girly..but without spending money and venturing to FabricLand, I used what I had. I am proud of my "thriftiness".

From start to end, Lola only took 7 hours of straight hand sewing. I have a sewing machine, but I like to do things the hard way. I wanted to see how long it would take, how it would turn out, and if I could do it.
This is just proof that if a pattern say "sewing machine", you dont really have to use one. Yes, it would be quicker and probably much neater...but it's only a suggestion. I even tried to add some details to the wings...but I think I needed darker thread or more overlapping.

There were some things I am not too happy about, but she is adorable.
The hands were kind of tricky, her ears are not straight -lets pretend she's listening for danger, her under-belly didn't have enough fabric (but that was an easy fix), I had no batting, so I just stuffed her wings, and no embroidery thread for designs on her belly or tail.
As much as I don't like the list above. I am still VERY proud. She is on my lap as I type, and is making me smile.
Bandit is on the other half of my lap.

Bandit and Pandora were both 'helping' me make her while I was tracing and cutting fabric.

While sewing I was watching LIFE on the Discovery channel. The boyfriend and his friend decided to play Halo Wars, so I mosied over to my computer and started to watch Pushing Daisies. Let me tell you, if you like dark humour and 30min TV series..check it out!

Anyway, speaking of Pushing Daisies, I am going to make more tea and get back to watching.

To see what I'm talking about, I highly suggest seeing these two sites...
Mariska's Fluffels
Shana Logic



The End...for today

Once there was a little girl...

...who found that if she picked up a needle and thread she could make impossible things come to life.


A good friend of mine sent me a package. In it was a CUTE crocheted fox and other goodies. I am sending her a crocheted JiJi from Kikis Delivery Service, a crocheted sunhat, and a small plush riceball. I think all people who sew have made a riceball at least once...there seem to be alot of them on the internet. For the shape of mine, I traced my riceball shaper. It's the real size, so hopefully the real shape too.
I liked making the first one, I decided to make another one too. I have to drop off a Get Well card for a friend's mum. I made her her own riceball too.
I am hoping my embroidery is getting better!


While I was in the spare room today, I found my dress making patterns for a costume I never made. There are like Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, etc.
I have an abunance of white felt..and black...and black that looks plastic.
Perhaps I will make a cute stylish witch!
Only time and talent will tell.


Sing with me now...Sew Sew Sew Your Boat....

If I use you more, will you stop shedding?

Dear Faux Fur,
It's me again, if I use you more, will you please stop shedding everywhere?!
Thank you very much.
-Annie

Once again I have picked up a needle and cracked the lid of my fake fur and fleece bins.
I think I am putting off making big ellaborate PlushKins for the time being. I am liking the simplicity of their babies. The larger ones look boring when they're plain -I've tried it.
The little guys also take way less time to complete. The 12 inch, handsewn, take about 8+ hours. 20mins-an hour for the smalls [depending on if I am doing other things]. I hope this is not diminishing the cute factor.
I am once again thinking of making a bunch of the Teenies and selling them at The Women's Art Festival this August. The larger PlushKins would be on the table too.

I am waiting for my Moo cards to come in. I sent off an order for MiniMoos. 100 cards with random images of my sewn glories.
I'm going to go off now and see what I can make with the horrible long red fake fur. I liked it when I bought it..and than I used it...

A little bit of everything.

I am still sewing, knitting, and now crocheting.
I have a little bit of everything going on all at once.
I guess it will be easiest if I put up a picture and explain a little bit about it.
However, before I go ahead with that I would like to introduce my new friend Ditzy.

Ditzy came all the way from England. She is made with love by a very nice woman, and I would like to say my new friend, Louise [aka Odd Sox].
The tutu is removable, on her chest is a VERY cute pink skull with button eyes.
If you're looking for a unique gift for someone, I suggest stopping in and sending her a message. You will not regret it.

Crocheting

I have taken up crocheting, and above you will see the first thing I have made without the use of a pattern -minus the hair.
You can see the full list of my yarn projects on my flickr page.
One thing about crocheting is it's *addictive*. I couldn't do it, well, I thought I couldn't do it. Than I tried. I do not think I have the patience to make a large scale project like a blanket or clothing. I am in love with making amigurumi though -japanese crocheting. I love the little toys and dolls all around me.
However, my next project will be Mary Jane slippers in soft sparkly black! :D
flickr

Sewing

This is Midge. She was a quick job, but I love her. I think more of her kind will be showing up around the place.
She loves to help in the garden. Just in time for growing season.
Just as I have not forgotten about my faux fur, I have not forgotten about my sock sewing.

Smoo loves to ride around on the house pets. She thinks she's a genie.

...
I will try to do better about blogging about my creations.
Even if noone reads, it helps to keep in practice about talking about things that I have made.
Now, back away from the keys and pick up a broom...It's Spring...back to cleaning I shall go!
Feel free to leave a comment and follow along on my little adventures!

Been gone such a long while

It has been a long absence. Everything in this blog has been experimetory. First, it was knitting- notice the title-, then it was my PlushKins -still in progress- and the felties, and now I introduce sock sewing!




I am guessing that's about all, since the stove is on.
I am still alive, and still sewing strong!

Helper

The doll doesn't get a name! She - due to the eyelashes I gave it- get to be called Helper!
Her neck is kind of squished and lopsided. I had to sew her right side out, due to how I sewed the legs and arms on to the front. I had a hard time flipping it inside out!
I am actually contemplating making another one! She is one of those creations that I dont like, dont dislike, but see some sort of personality in!

Lost In Translation

My friend/co-worker Gwladys make a simple pattern for me to sew to make a [voodoo] doll. I can figure out how to assemble the pieces, but when it comes to putting the doll together, I am utterly clueless!
It looks like I would just sew the arms and legs into the places, and then sew the head on...simple enough...and then you see how they fit together!
I feel like a complete dunce!
*headdesk*